Mansfield Town

The brother of our senior academy physiotherapist Matt Salmon will begin a mammoth 164-mile cycle ride in 24 hours tomorrow from Hampshire to Paris to raise money for CLIC Sargent.

Physio Matt has been on the medical staff in the under 18s’ triumphant Football League Youth Alliance title-winning season this year.

He has been receiving ongoing treatment for lung cancer for six years, and his younger sibling Chris has decided to give something back to a charity that’s helped out their family in their times of need.

Starting tomorrow morning in the small market town of Petersfield in Hampshire where the pair are from, 22-year-old Chris will be riding to New Haven, where he will catch the 9am ferry to Dieppe in France.

From there, he has only nine hours to travel the remaining 110 miles to Paris, ending hopefully under the iconic Eiffel Tower at midnight on Saturday.

And he is doing it all for CLIC Sargent, whose mission as a charity is to ‘change what it means to be diagnosed with cancer when you’re young’, whilst they offer emotional, financial and practical support to youngsters.

The charity was formed in 2005 after a successful merger between CLIC and Sargent Cancer Care for Children.

Matt is one person that has needed a comforting hand from the organisation at times in his life.

“It [the condition] doesn’t influence me as much anymore, luckily, but I have an appointment at the hospital every two months – that doesn’t affect me massively, it’s just to keep an eye on how I’m doing.”

Speaking about his brother taking on the huge task, 24-year-old Matt added: “He’s never done anything like this before but he’s done a lot of training so he knows what he’s let himself in for!”

CLIC Sargent relies on regular donations, and charitable endeavours such as these to provide the high-quality support to children throughout their cancer journey and beyond.

“If anyone’s got any spare money, it would be massively appreciated. They help thousands of kids every year. They helped me out loads, so it’s nice to be giving something to them,” Matt added.

Today, ten children and young people in the UK will be told the saddening news that they have cancer.

Chris is aiming to raise £5,000 for the charity, to ensure that youngsters across Britain receive the vital aid they require when they’re suffering.

To donate to his amazing efforts, visit his Just Giving page.